Genistein

Phytochemistry. 2002 Jun;60(3):205-11. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(02)00116-4.

Abstract

Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a common precursor in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial phytoalexins and phytoanticipins in legumes, and an important nutraceutical molecule found in soybean seeds. Genistein is a phytoestrogen with a wide variety of pharmacological effects in animal cells, including tyrosine kinase inhibition, and dietary genistein ingestion has been linked, through epidemiological and animal model studies, with a range of potential health beneficial effects. These include chemoprevention of breast and prostate cancers, cardiovascular disease and post-menopausal ailments. In spite of an extensive literature on the effects of dietary genistein, questions still exist as to its potential overall benefits as a component of the human diet. Genistein can be synthesized chemically via the deoxybenzoin or chalcone route. Genistein is synthesized in plants from the flavanone naringenin by a novel ring migration reaction catalyzed by the cytochrome P450 enzyme isoflavone synthase (IFS). IFS genes have recently been cloned from a number of plant species, and production of genistein can be now achieved in non-legumes by recombinant DNA approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Availability
  • Chemoprevention
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / metabolism
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Genistein* / chemical synthesis
  • Genistein* / chemistry
  • Genistein* / metabolism
  • Genistein* / therapeutic use
  • Glycine max / chemistry*
  • Isoflavones*
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Plant Preparations
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Postmenopause

Substances

  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal
  • Isoflavones
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Plant Preparations
  • Genistein